Master of Science in Professional Studies: Smart Cities
About This Programme
This professional studies master's explores what cities are and what they can become. It goes beyond the smart-city concept to cover the technological, social, economic and sustainability issues of today's and tomorrow's cities, and helps students build efficient, sustainable, community-based cities. Students study the history of modern cities, urban economics, city development and planning theory, urban ecology, digital transformation, informatics, policy and decision-making, demography, and applied problem-solving and research methods, along with water, food, waste, transport, education and energy systems and how they interact. The 33-credit programme includes research and a thesis and can be completed in as little as 16 months.
Course Highlights
- 33 credit hours; can be completed in as little as 16 months
- Courses include Structures of City Systems, Data Analytics for Smart Cities, Technology Infrastructure for Smart Cities, Urban and Regional Planning, Understanding Sustainability and Decision Analysis for Smart Cities
- Research and thesis across two courses (PROF-776)
- IELTS 6.0 or EmSAT 1400 accepted, as for RIT Dubai's other professional studies programmes
- Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
What You'll Study
RIT Dubai publishes a typical course sequence of 33 credit hours, which can be completed in as little as 16 months.
Typical course sequence
- PROF-705 Context and Trends3 credits
- PROF-750 Structures of City Systems3 credits
- PROF-751 Resource Contexts for Smart City Development3 credits
- PROF-661 Data Analytics for Smart Cities3 credits
- PROF-662 Technology Infrastructure for Smart Cities3 credits
- PROF-770 Proposal Seminar0 credits
- PROF-776 Research and Thesis3 credits
- PROF-776 Research and Thesis3 credits
- PROF-799 Special Topics: Digital Transformation Towards a Smart City3 credits
- ARCH-652 Urban and Regional Planning3 credits
- ARCH-661 Understanding Sustainability3 credits
- PUBL-702 Decision Analysis for Smart Cities3 credits
What You'll Learn
Programme learning outcomes
- Carry out a city impact assessment with qualitative and quantitative methods
- Develop systems that support effective governance and responsive citizen engagement
- Analyse and manage plans for accessible infrastructure
- Assess the feasibility of smart city data infrastructure networks and technologies
- Measure energy and environmental impacts
- Apply big data analysis to common urban problems and service delivery
Programme goals
- Provide the tools to apply the elements of a smart city to improve urban life
- Apply those tools to data to produce high-quality research
Entry Requirements
Applicants submit a CV showing professional work experience in the area of study, two letters of recommendation and a personal statement of about 500 words. Final admission decisions are made by RIT's Graduate Department in Rochester, New York.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and listed as Active on the Commission for Academic Accreditation's register. The degree is issued by RIT's main campus in Rochester, New York.
Programme Details
Award
Master of Science (MS)
Start Date
August (Fall) and January (Spring)
Typical Offer
Bachelor's degree with about a 3.0 GPA
Duration
From 16 months
Qualification
MS
Subject Area
Urban Planning
Campus
Dubai Silicon Oasis
Tuition Fee
AED 143,550 total
RIT Dubai accepts applications for Spring (January) and Fall (August) intakes. Spring: early admission until 31 October, regular admission until 31 December, deadline 8 January. Fall: early admission until 15 January, regular admission until 31 May, deadline 22 August. RIT Dubai offers scholarships of up to 50% based on academic and non-academic achievements.